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250 GEOEGIA AND GEORGIANS
Meanwhile an incident occurred in legislative circles which we must
not overlook. It illustrated the temper o£ the times. For supplies is
sued to the British soldiers stationed in Georgia, the governor late in
January issued a requisition upon the assembly, transmitting therewith
a copy of the mutiny act, under which the supplies were authorized by
Parliament. While the Upper House readily agreed, the Lower House
stoutly demurred. The governor was indignant at this action but pow
erless to help matters. If he dissolved the assembly a new one would
be elected, in which the Sons of Liberty might constitute an even larger
majority of its members. Thus the wheels of legislation were locked.
Moreover, in choosing an agent to represent the colony in England the
Lower House refused to approve any nomination which the Upper
House made. Georgia was without an agent therefore, until 1768 when
Dr. Benjamin Franklin, at a salary of £100 sterling per annum, was
chosen to fill this position, holding it until the outbreak of the Revo
lution.
Nothing of special interest occurred for the next two years. But in
1768 Parliament again asserted its right to tax the colonies by levying
a duty upon certain articles of British manufacture including paint,
paper, glass, etc. Massachusetts again took the initiative by calling for
united action against these oppressive measures of Parliament. The
Legislature of Georgia was not in session when the Massachusetts circu
lar arrived but Speaker Wylly, who presided over the late House, sent
a sympathetic response, stating the facts. The new House, on assem
bling, evinced its strong whig sentiments in the election of Dr. Noble
Wymbeiiey Jones to the speakership. This gentleman, a son of Capt.
Noble Jones, was an ardent patriot, though his father remained to the
end of his days a pronounced royalist. The business of the session hav
ing neared its conclusion, Mr. Wylly brought the Massachusetts circu
lar to the attention of the House, together with one from Virginia; and
both were entered upon the journal. Moreover, the assembly passed
resolutions endorsing the resistive measures taken by the other colonies.
This action provoked an indignant message from Governor Wright who
thereupon dissolved the Legislature in short order.
During the month of November, 1769, the merchants of Savannah
passed resolutions agreeing not to export any of the articles subject to
tax. Still later a mass-meeting of citizens was held at which similar
action was taken. Over this meeting, Jonathan Bryan, a member of the
king's council, presided, on hearing of which the king signified his dis
pleasure by ordering Mr. Bryan's removal. But more will be said of
this later. Governor Wright found the house of assembly a difficult
problem with which to deal. The Upper House was usually ready to
adopt his suggestion but the Lower House almost invariably crossed his
purposes. In 1770, Doctor Jones, "a pestiferous Whig," was again
elected speaker. But Governor Wright refused to sanction this action
of the House and ordered another election. Incensed at this outrage
upon its dignity, the House not only refused to recede but passed resolu
tions complimentary to Doctor Jones. Again the House was dissolved.
.Thus matters stood in the midsummer of 1771 when Governor
Wright, having obtained a leave of absence, set sail for England. To
discharge the duties of governor until his return to Georgia, the king